"A good idea is the foundation for any nonfiction book proposal. It's the intangible product you’re trying to sell to a publisher. Good ideas are everywhere. But it takes a keen eye and know-how to shape an idea into a book proposal and ultimately a sale."
—Jeff Herman & Deborah M. Adams,
Write the Perfect Book Proposal
You've got a great idea for a book. You've done the research, interviewed the experts, collected all the materials you need, started—or maybe even finished—a draft of the manuscript. Now what? Before you spend months finishing and/or polishing that manuscript, wouldn't it be nice to know there's an editor out there who's already made a commitment to publish it, or an agent who's agreed to represent it? Professional authors know how to get that commitment up front—with a book proposal package.
In this workshop you will work with a published book author to put together a winning proposal for your book idea. At the conclusion of this workshop, you will have written a proposal package consisting of a query/cover letter, a chapter-by-chapter outline, and sample chapters ready to submit to agents or publishers (up to 12,000 words total). To get the most from this workshop, you should have a well-developed book idea, as well as an understanding of basic nonfiction writing skills and techniques (the Fundamentals of Nonfiction Writing Workshop is strongly recommended as a preliminary).
This workshop will consist of seven two-week sessions. Each session will include online lectures and associated textbook reading assignments, along with a writing assignment specifically related to your book idea, which will be submitted to the instructor for private review at the end of the first week of the session. During the second week of each session, work will be posted for group review and feedback. Throughout the workshop you will be able to participate in asynchronous lecture discussion and encouraged to take advantage of ongoing informal discussions and posted self-directed writing exercises. (2.8 CEUs)
Please note: This workshop is specifically intended to help students market a nonfiction book idea with the goal of commercial publication. If you need help marketing your novel, see our Writing the Novel Proposal Workshop. If you are writing a memoir or personal history, please see our Focus on the Personal/Family Memoir Workshop.
| Workshop length: |
Fourteen Weeks |
| Textbook(s) to purchase: |
How to Write a Book Proposal, 3rd Edition (by Michael Larsen, Writer's Digest Books);
Writer's Market, current edition (Writer's Digest Books) |
| Course Developer: |
Bill Brohaugh |
| Tuition: |
$425.00 |
Workshop Outline
Session One: Developing a Strong Editorial Appeal for Your Book Idea
Defining & focusing your idea; The importance of a strong title; Why are you writing this book and who are you writing it for? The components of a book proposal
Writing Assignment: A narrative summary of your book idea that includes a working title and a brief paragraph describing why you are writing this book and who the intended reader is (maximum 500 words); Pick two to three appropriate publishers from Writer's Market and explain your choices (maximum 250 words).
Session Two: The Overview Section of Your Proposal
Using a subject "hook" to get an editor's attention; Identifying—and selling—your book's special features; Your plan for writing the book and why you are the best writer for the job
Writing Assignment: The "Overview" section of your proposal (maximum 1,000 words)
Session Three: The Market—Complementary and Competitive Books
Defining—and quantifying—who will buy your book; Spin-offs and subsidiary markets; Identifying similar books and distinguishing yours from the rest of the pack
Writing Assignment: The "Marketing" and "Competition" sections of your proposal (maximum 1,500 words)
Session Four: Promoting Your Book—and Yourself
What are you willing to do to promote your book? Coming up with innovative promotional ideas; "About the Author"—putting your best foot forward
Writing Assignment: The "Promotions" and "About the Author" sections of your proposal (maximum 1,500 words); A list of five prospective publishers
Session Five: Organize Your Material Into an Effective Outline
The Table of Contents; Selecting an appropriate organizational structure; Chapter abstracts; Style considerations
Writing Assignment: A chapter-by-chapter outline for your book, including a Table of Contents (maximum 3,000 words)
Session Six: The Query Letter & Sample Chapters
The role of the query letter; Components of an effective query; Why write sample chapters? Some writing reminders and a self-editing checklist
Writing Assignment: A query letter (maximum 500 words) and sample chapters from your book (maximum 3,000 words).
Session Seven: Keep Writing
Workshop wrap-up
Writing Assignment: Sample chapters from your book, either picking up where you left off with the Session Six assignment, or starting from the beginning and incorporating revisions (maximum 6,000 words total).